Records fall at the Merthyr Mawr 5k with personal bests
ATHLETICS
14 NEW personal bests were the highlight of a record-breaking Merthyr Mawr 5k for the Porthcawl Runners.
No fewer than 47 competitors from the South Road based club descended on the event – which was the second of six Bridgend County Running League events in 2017.
That number smashed the Runners’ previous BCRL club record of 26 – achieved at the same event last year – while eight were also making their competitive club bows.
Geraint Lewis (17:47) led the Runners home in 23rd out of 479 finish- ers overall while Deb Goule (21:19) collected the prize of first Vet 45 female.
There were PBs on the night for Dave Dickson, David Bennett, Will Edwards, Robert Slaughter, Matthew Watkins, Laura Butcher, Karen Phillips, Deb Jones, Tim Kale, Jennifer Jones and Heidi Bennett – along with de- but trio Martin Gush, Eve Devlin and Carl Field.
Geraint Williams, Alun Williams, Jeremy Jones, Toni Cosson and Lindsay Ford also enjoyed excellent first outings for the club.
The next event of this year’s BCRL will be staged by the Runners at Porthcawl Seafront on Wednesday, June 28 where they will compete in a 4km Time Trial once again with Brackla Harriers, Bridgend AC, Cornelly Striders, Cwm Ogwr Runners, Pencoed Panthers and Pencoed Tri Club.
Those notable performances at Merthyr Mawr came hot on the heels of the Runners’ exertions at the recent Cottrell Park relays. With eight teams entered, the Runners were the best represented club in attendance and certainly proved they are a force to be reckoned with victory for Dave Bennett, Deb Goule and Rob Bennett in the Mixed category.
The Runners also finished second in the Masters Men, Masters Female and Family categories.